Exodus 7:19-21 "And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt."
The river Nile was the main source of water in Egypt. As we observed earlier, scholars tell us the Egyptians worshipped the river as a god. When Aaron did according to the words that God told Moses, the waters of the river and all its tributaries (streams, canals, etc.) were turned to blood. The power of God even reached into their individual dwelling places and turned the water they had already drawn.
This action was done openly in the sight of Pharaoh and all his servants (counselors, sorcerers). It was impossible to deny what the LORD had just done. Not only did the waters turn to blood, but the fish in the river also died. The river was contaminated so that there was no water to drink in all of Egypt.
Some of us have experienced slaughtering cows and hogs to provide food for our families. Many of us enjoy fishing. If you have ever been exposed to either of these activities, think for a minute about the smell. While the outcome of steaks, bacon, and fish fry’s is most enjoyable, the process is not for the weak of stomach.
Consider what it would smell like if all the water around you was suddenly turned to blood. The stench of dead and rotting fish would be horrible. Under the circumstances, the Egyptians would not even attempt to dress the fish to preserve as food. Furthermore, the LORD had just made one of Egypt’s gods to be loathed in their sight.
Dear ones, our God is a God of incomprehensible might. He can command all of creation to bend to His will because it all rightfully belongs to Him. He has the right to exact judgement both for His people and on His people. He is a God of love, grace, and mercy, but He also has both the power and the authority to lay low every idol and cause us to bow before Him. He is God and there is none else (Isaiah 45:5).